Emily Louise Meginnity Seydel, M.D., passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 12. Emily was a trailblazing woman, earning her medical degree in 1957 and successfully balancing the obligations of career, marriage, and parenthood. She was a pediatrician who worked for many years at schools and treatment facilities for troubled children, inspiring others to follow her into the medical profession. Later, she was a partner in her own practice. She was a loving mother and grandmother of unfailing calm and grace who always had time to talk and regularly flew cross country to help care for her grandchildren. After retiring, she devoted herself to community activities and supporting her husband in his struggle with cardiovascular disease, developing a portfolio of low-fat, low-cholesterol gourmet recipes.  Nurturing growth not only in her garden, but in all those around her, Emily inspired learning, careers and simply finding joy in life.  Emily is survived by her husband of 59 years, Horst Gunter Seydel, her son and daughter in law, Edgar and Sarah, her daughter and son in law, Charlotte and Bob Karls, their children, Emily and Jackson, her daughter and son in law, Carolyn and Habib Sissoko, and their children, Gunter and Alex.

A celebration of Emily's life will take place 2:00 PM Thursday, August 17 at Baldwin Brothers Heritage Place, 1 North Causeway in New Smyrna Beach. The family welcomes all for visitation with Emily from 1:00 PM until service time. A reception will follow the service at the Grille at Riverview, 101 Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach. Committal will be at a later date in Elmwood Cemetery in Detroit, Michigan.

Memorial donations may be made to the Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum 314 N. Duss Street, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168, phone: (386) 478-1934.